Monday, October 31, 2016

When I was growing up, we didn't know about the dangers of a Ouija board. In fact, it was often left as a Christmas gift under the tree.
We played with it some back then but I never thought much of it really, just figured others were moving it to be honest.

In fact, it wasn't until I was 17 that I witnessed proof...to me anyways, that this there was more to this board than originally had believed.

My first ex wife, girlfriend then, were at a party at a friend's house. We were sitting around hitting a pipe with the group (hey it was the 80's)...when the subject of Ouija came up.

My friend's older brother was talking about it. I was like dude, that things just a bunch of bull. He was like no man it really works, you just have to learn to use it correctly and give it some time.

He asked if I wanted to play and I said no. My ex on the other hand was enthused so he brought out the board, set it up and they began.

I'll never forget that night. I was sitting across the room watching the two of them play.

They were asking questions, getting yes or no answers and I was thinking what a con. so I started thinking to myself OK... is this thing really working? Mind you I'm across the room nowhere near this board.

I start repeating a question over and over in my head. No one knows I'm doing this. I keep repeating in my thoughts "What's Tawnya's middle name?".

The board starts going really fast in a figure 8. I hear her ask him what's going on? He's like I don't know? Meantime I'm repeating my question in my head over and over.

It stops and I hear her say "A" then it starts again. then I hear him say "N" this continues "N", "E", "T", "T", "E" then the Ouija goes back to normal speed.
He says "ANNETTE" What's that about? She lets go of the Ouija with her eyes so wide open they looked like they were going to pop out and then she says "That's my middle name!" I was like huh "Guess it's not bull" He looks across the room at me and asks "dude were you asking that?" I just smiled and said yes.

Well needless to say, she was through playing with the Ouija that night...haha.

Well, me being me; That really sparked my interest. So for a while, I started experimenting with the Ouija by doing sessions. It surprised me but it really seemed to be working.

I noticed though that just about every time we would sit and use this thing it would increase with intensity. We would always start out talking with one spirit but then others would come through and take over the board.

This one in particular would come through by the name of AJ.

Through time, we learned he was a young boy who had drowned. Honestly we came to think of him as a friend. But then after a few months his responses became more vulgar in nature.

Sometimes out right hostile. We would start getting on to him, threatening to end the session and not return again if he didn't stop. Then the board would start going lightning fast it trailed to the letters ZOZO.

This would keep repeating, until we had decided that AJ was throwing a fit. We would say goodbye and put the board away then go on about our day.

Well we were tired of it to be honest. It seemed like every time that we would get on it, AJ would take over and not let us communicate with anyone else. So we finally just quit messing with it altogether.

Then through the years we learned of the dangers of the board and decided good riddance.

Now this is were this story became worth telling. Just a couple of years ago, I learned of a paranormal investigator's research into a world wide phenomena known as ZOZO.

ZOZO is a spirit or demon...I'm not sure that has been linked to murders and suicides throughout the world. He comes through Ouija sessions and begins working on the mental stability of its users searching, I think, for vulnerable victims.

Now granted, we did not fall into his game to that point thank god, but I think it's important for anyone that's thinking on using a Ouija board to be aware of this things presence.

Source: Steve King

Transcribed by JLB

**********

Extinct Tree Sprouts From Ancient Seeds

For thousands of years, Judean date palm trees were one of the most recognizable and welcome sights for people living in the Middle East -- widely cultivated throughout the region for their sweet fruit, and for the cool shade they offered from the blazing desert sun.

From its founding some 3,000 years ago, to the dawn of the Common Era, the trees became a staple crop in the Kingdom of Judea, even garnering several shout-outs in the Old Testament. Judean palm trees would come to serve as one of the kingdom's chief symbols of good fortune; King David named his daughter, Tamar, after the plant's name in Hebrew.

By the time the Roman Empire sought to usurp control of the kingdom in 70 AD, broad forests of these trees flourished as a staple crop to the Judean economy -- a fact that made them a prime resource for the invading army to destroy. Sadly, around the year 500 AD, the once plentiful palm had been completely wiped out, driven to extinction for the sake of conquest.

In the centuries that followed, first-hand knowledge of the tree slipped from memory to legend. Up until recently, that is.

During excavations at the site of Herod the Great's palace in Israel in the early 1960's, archeologists unearthed a small stockpile of seeds stowed in a clay jar dating back 2,000 years. For the next four decades, the ancient seeds were kept in a drawer at Tel Aviv's Bar-Ilan University. But then, in 2005, botanical researcher Elaine Solowey decided to plant one and see what, if anything, would sprout.

"I assumed the food in the seed would be no good after all that time. How could it be?" said Solowey. She was soon proven wrong.

Amazingly, the multi-millennial seed did indeed sprout -- producing a sapling no one had seen in centuries, becoming the oldest known tree seed to germinate.

Today, the living archeological treasure continues to grow and thrive; In 2011, it even produced its first flower -- a heartening sign that the ancient survivor was eager to reproduce. It has been proposed that the tree be cross-bred with closely related palm types, but it would likely take years for it to begin producing any of its famed fruits. Meanwhile, Solowey is working to revive other age-old trees from their long dormancy. - Extinct tree grows anew from ancient jar of seeds unearthed by archaeologists

**********

Is this what we've become?

**********

Singin' bout 'Raystown Ray'

Raystown Ray, the lake monster rumored to dwell in the Huntingdon County lake of the same name, now has his, or her, own theme song.

The Song Whisperers – Bill Dann, of Tyrone, and Jack Servello, of Shippensburg – have put the tale of the great beast into song. Their collaborating video/slideshow producer, Michelle Peters, of Beech Creek, added the video.

The result has been delighting viewers on YouTube ever since.

Dann, who begins the process for the team, by writing lyrics like those, asked his Facebook followers for suggestions of "a local legend that would make a good Halloween song."

Gary McGovern, of Tyrone, supplied some information on Raystown Ray, which intrigued Dann. A bit more research into the creature led him to George LaVanish, owner of the Tyrone-based Wilderness Editions wildlife art and print company, trademark-holder on artistic renditions Ray and owner of the RaystownRay.com website.

"We agreed that Ray was a docile, gentle giant and should be portrayed as such," said Dann, who then was off and writing the lyrics, which passed to Servello for the music.

The result includes these notes on the creature: "Ray isn't some barbarian. He's strictly vegetarian."

And, "... he really is quite timid and meek. And if you look above his chin, you might even his friendly grin. When you see him, don't be alarmed. This gentle giant means no on harm. So try and catch a peak today of friendly, bashful Raystown Ray."

Among Servello's special touches for the novelty song are the sounds of water bubbling "while Ray glides through Raystown Lake" and a chirping sound, offered as the sound made by the lake monster.

The chorus of the song acknowledges the creature's disputed existence with: "Raystown Ray, Raystown Ray, please show yourself to us today. We know that some say you're not real, but we know you're the real deal. Rise up to break the surface here. Oh how we yearn to see you near. This big lake is made to frolic and play. Won't you indulge us, Raystown Ray."

It's exactly the type of mystery that Dann likes to capture in their songs, the type that makes "people come up to you and ask, 'Did that really happen?' Then you know you've created an invocative legend."

He explained, "I never know what the next one is going to be about. Yeah, it's nice, but where did that come from?"

For his part, Servello said, "as soon as I saw his words, I had a melody I my head. Sometimes I need to rewrite a line or so. You try to make it interesting."

It's a process that's been working for the duo for more than a decade.

"Raystown Ray" isn't the first animal-related song from Dann and Servello.

Several years ago, they composed "Thor, the Purple Squirrel from Jersey Shore" about the strangely colored, headline-grabbing squirrel in northcentral Pennsylvania. That one went viral, and was featured on the Travel Channel program "Paranormal Paparazzi" and on Dr. Demento's long running syndicated radio show.

It also wasn't the first foray into the paranormal for the composers of "The Howlin' Hounds of Howard," "White Lady of the Buckhorn" and others.

They've also produced more serious songs, including tributes to the likes of the Beach Boys and Ron Dante, lead singer of the Archies; patriotic tunes; holiday songs like "Tonka Trunks and Tinker Toys" and "Santa Does the Peppermint Twist;" and pleas for better treatment for dogs, including "A Warmer Place to Rest" and "All Chained Up and No Place to Go."

And, what do the song writers think about the folklorish existence of Raystown Ray?

"Logistically I don't see how Ray being there would be real, but I like to think so," said Dann.

Servello, who knew of the Raystown Ray legend before Dann sent him the lyrics and as a kid visited an aunt's cottage that is now under the lake, thinks "there's a cute little story there, but I couldn't imagine where it came from. It could be a really big fish." - Lake monster Raystown Ray now swims to its own theme song

PLEASE SUPPORT 'PHANTOMS & MONSTERS' and 'ARCANE RADIO'

Donations for the 'Phantoms & Monsters' newsletter, blog and subsequent research are essential and always appreciated. You can use one of the donation buttons or go to Paypal.com and use my email lonstrickler@phantomsandmonsters.com as the payee. Thanks again for reading and for your continued support. Lon

'Phantoms and Monsters' and 'phantomsandmonsters.com' is protected under the Lanham (Trademark) Act (Title 15, Chapter 22 of the United States Code)
'Phantoms and Monsters' was establish in September 2005 and is not a business

Disclaimer:
The publication of any and all content e.g., articles, reports, editorials, commentary, opinions, as well as graphics and or images on this web-site does not constitute sanction or acquiescence of said content unless specified; it is solely for informational purposes.

Fair Use Notice:
This site may contain copyrighted material the use of which may not be specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democratic, scientific, social justice, and religious issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

You understand that all Content posted on, transmitted through, or linked from the Phantoms and Monsters Site, are the sole responsibility of the person from whom such Content originated. You are responsible for all Content that you post, email or otherwise make available via the Phantoms and Monsters Site. Phantoms and Monsters does not control, and is not responsible for Content made available through the Phantoms and Monsters Site. By using the Phantoms and Monsters Site, you acknowledge that you may be exposed to Content from other users that is offensive, indecent, inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise objectionable.

NOTE: Any use of witness information, which includes any attempt to contact a witness or persons involved in an event, is strictly prohibited without the written consent of Lon Strickler